Trying To Live A Zero Waste Life

For quite a while my wife and I have become increasingly more aware of the amount of waste that we are dumping on our planet and just what a devastating effect it is having on planet earth. As such, we have decided to try to live a zero waste life.

We both feel it’s vitally important for our children so that when they become adults they’ll hopefully inherit a cleaner, more environmentally friendly planet than what it is currently. It’s also vital that we teach our seven old twins now about zero waste so it is passed onto future generations and they have the mindset to protect our earth better than we have managed so far. We have lived already far too long in this throw away, disposable society. A society of convenience and not a conscience about what we are doing to our planet.

My wife initially started a local Facebook group and it was instantly a success gaining likes, comments and followers in just days. This told us that there are like minded people out there who see the damage that non biodegradable products are having on the planet, and more importantly on our children’s future.

With the initial success on Facebook we then started an Instagram page, and that has had just as much early interest and green companies have been offering us biodegradable, reusable, natural products to try out. I have been amazed at how easy it has been to make the switch.

We also made a visit to our local zero waste shop called Ripple. I have to admit before going I was a little bit sceptical, but any fears or doubts I had quickly faded away. The products and idea behind it is truly brilliant. Yes, certain items were an expensive initial investment such as the reusable sanitary pads my wife bought, but when compared to buying disposable ones in the supermarket they will very quickly pay their way and it also means a few less sanitary towels going to landfill, which actually take between 500 and 800 years to biodegrade because there is a plastic content in them and that is a scary amount of time.

Also at Ripple you can buy food by filling your own containers. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic being used and actually is considerably cheaper so not only does it help the environment, but saves you money too.

The one fact that has actually blown my mind is the plastic toothbrush. It takes 400 years for one plastic toothbrush to disappear from planet earth. This means that every single toothbrush that has ever been made is still in existence today somewhere in the world. In North America alone it is estimated that a billion plastic toothbrushes are dumped at landfill every year. Now that is a seriously scary figure.

A plastic toothbrush takes 400 years to biodegrade. A bamboo toothbrush takes a maximum of 6 months.

Blue rock are a company that make bamboo toothbrushes and we were lucky enough to be sent some for us all to try out. Quite honestly I can’t tell the difference. They are environmentally friendly and are made of a bamboo that pandas don’t eat so we are not hurting their environment. They come in recyclable packaging and they take up to a maximum of six months to biodegrade. In fact it can be as quick as six weeks in a compost mound or bin. Surely that is the way forward?

Our journey will be tough because we are having to change habits of a lifetime, but it is necessary changes we need to make in order to protect our planet from global warming and ultimate destruction, and just as importantly to educate our children that they can pass it on to the next generation, but it has to start now. We can no longer continue to ignore the mess we have made of the world in such a relatively short time.

If our little small journey helps just a little bit and maybe encourages others to take part, then it will all have been worthwhile.

I would love to hear your comments and what, if anything, you are doing to help the worlds environment by reducing the waste in your life.

You can follow Our Zero Waste Life on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter there will also be a blog coming soon! So keep your eyes peeled.

Wishing you the best of luck on this journey – I think it’s the small gradual changes that slowly become habits that make the real big difference (if more and more people get started) – there are so many choices we can make every day, most of the times we simply don’t even think if an item is made of plastic, unnecessarily wrapped etc… #dreamteam

I’m definitely intrigued by zero waste living! I’m going to be joining your group right after this comment to see what we can do in our home too. Thanks for promoting looking after our planet 👍 #dreamteam

I like the idea of filling up your own containers and the toothbrushes. I’m not a zero-waste person but it just makes sense to be able to use your own containers that you’ll probably fill up with what you bought when you get home anyway…like I always do.

Oh wow, this is a great challenge to be involved in, and it’s going to be so rewarding knowing that you are actively making a difference to the planet. I had no idea about the toothbrushes!! Ekk!!! 400 years :-O that’s such a long time.I am now on the hunt for bamboo toothbrushes. Thanks for joining us for the #dreamteam

We started making some really great switches and changes last year to reduce our carbon footprint. The statistics and the documentaries on T.V were a real eye opener for us. It’s really important to share plastic free ideas, as they can make such a difference #dreamteam

I’ve felt really inspired by not just your story but many other stories. I have started reading up on switches and as each item I have comes to end I plan to switch to an eco / non waste product in it’s place. #TriumphantTales

I still can’t get my head around the whole plastic bag fiasco a couple of years back. I thought initially it was a great idea and perhaps use paper bags like Primark or just encourage people to reuse tote bags – but then they started to charge and people still pay for it! I think sadly people still choose convenience over environment!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back tomorrow.